Treaty of Paris 1898, Arguments (Debate)?

You can say that the treaty of Paris of 1898 made the United States an imperialist power, without really having the required infrastructure to be an Empire. The United States entered in an area of expansion and increasing worldwide influence, while at the same time had an isolationist mentality, that lasted until the end of WWI. The United States was not ready to be an Empire. It was extremely ambivalent about the territories that it acquired as a result of the war with Spain. This situation still exists today, with Puerto Rico, that is in a juridical limbo, not an independent country, nor a state. Consider domestic for certain thing, foreign for another. This has created in Puerto Rico a split between Puertorrican themselves that to this day persists and will not be resolved until the United States says clearly to Puerto Rico what it is willing to accept as a status solution for the Island. The Philippines and Cuba were set free early on, why not Puerto Rico? Other territories, like Alaska and Hawaii, were made states, even though the native population of those states were not "Americans", they had a different culture, language, way of life and still the U. S. eventually absorbed into the Union. Why not Puerto Rico? That is the question that still persits to this day. Why has not Puerto Rico been set free or made a state? Either option is honorable, viable and will free the United States of last vestiges of Imperialism that it carries as a consequence of the war with Spain.

I had read elsewhere that the Europeans were pulling for Monarchic Spain, even the French who supported establishing a republic. There is a bit in this outtake on the strange European anti-Americanism rearing its ugly head WAY before America became the world's only superpower.

I'm not sure what your debate's thesis would be, it was a good treaty? America shouldn't have won the war? America did win and it was a good thing? Who should run the Phillippines? Americans are nice guys 'cuz we pay the losers even after we beat them in war? ($20 million to Spain for the Phillippines. We paid Mexico after the Mexican American War for the Southwest, also.)

Whatever the debate thesis is, this site and its links should help.

"Commissioners from the United States and Spain met in Paris on October 1, 1898 to produce a treaty that would bring an end to the war after six months of hostilities. The American peace commission consisted of William R. Day, Sen. Cushman K. Davis, Sen. William P. Frye, Sen. George Gray, and the Honorable Whitelaw Reid. The Spanish commission was headed by Don Eugenio Montero Rios, the President of the Senate. Jules Cambon, a French diplomat, also negotiated on Spain's behalf. The American commissioners negotiated in a hostile atmosphere because all Europe, except England, was sympathetic to the Spanish side.

Although the Conference discussed Cuba and debt questions, the major conflict concerned the situation of the Philippines. Admiral Dewey's victory had come as a great surprise and it marked the entrance of the United States into the Pacific. Spanish commissioners argued that Manila had surrendered after the armistice and therefore the Philippines could not be demanded as a war conquest, but they eventually yielded because they had no other choice, and the U.S. ultimately paid Spain 20 million dollars for possession of the Philippines. The islands of Puerto Rico and Guam were also placed under American control, and Spain relinquished its claim to Cuba. The treaty was signed on December 10, 1898. "

Please define the controversy? This treaty has led to no end of worry for united states of america. even though it grew to become into an superb enhancement to US ability and status. We nonetheless experience a number of it is outcomes at the instant. in simple terms as France and Germany had worry from their Peace Treaty interior the 1870's. One set of positives? If, you should call it that.....Is that the conflict revealed the weak point of the krag rifle the U. S. used. finest to the 1903 Springfield. additionally, began to coach the weak point of the 38 long Colt high quality in container use. Being replaced later by utilising the 38 specific and 40 5 acp.

well the British people were relieved that the war between them and united states would be over. In one instances there was a painting that was left unfinished since the British leaders did not want to pose for the portrait.